Handcuffed man sets himself on fire in police station

IPOH: A man who was handcuffed after allegedly causing a drunken row at a police station, somehow managed to reach for his lighter and set himself alight. He suffered about 90% burns and is now fighting for his life at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.

Perak CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Gan Tian Kee said the man had allegedly caused a ruckus at the police station before being detained between 1am and 2am on Tuesday.

Despite having his hands cuffed, the 47-year-old from Jelapang supposedly managed to reach inside his pocket and ignite a lighter.

“The policemen who were guarding the man, released his handcuffs and put out the fire using water from a nearby tap.

“He was sent to the hospital for treatment,” SAC Gan said in a statement.

He said the man wanted to lodge a police report but was in a drunken state. The policeman told him to calm down and return when he was sober.

“The man got angry, raised his voice and threatened to make the matter viral on Facebook,”

SAC Gan said the man returned shortly and pushed the policeman. He was promptly arrested.

“The man had a parang on his motorcycle. He also has a criminal record with 13 cases, including drug-related offences,” he said.

The man’s family, however, are not happy with the police explanation. They have lodged a police report demanding an explanation over how he was burnt.